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Newcastle United have become the first Premier League club to place the majority of their workforce on furlough leave due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Newcastle Chronicle report.

Staff were informed of Magpies owner Mike Ashley’s decision on Monday morning when they were understood to have received an email from Lee Charnley, the club’s managing director, as the UK entered week two of lockdown.

Magpies staff were pointed in the direction of the government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which gives workers 80% of their wages back up to a maximum of £2,500 per month.

It is reported that the drastic move by Ashley includes a number of members of staff from the club’s academy, the club’s scouting department and members of the club’s Foundation charity. This decision has not included first-team manager Steve Bruce, his coaching staff or the players.

The club’s staff are understood to have been told that this decision has been carried out to safeguard the club’s future.

This news has emerged after the St James’ Park club were linked with a £340million takeover with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Group.

On Sunday, the club issued a “no comment” status, whilst a reaction from the Premier League, who were reportedly approached by the Middle East group, is yet to have arrived.